Hampton Roads Weekend Planner August 7-9

There is SO MUCH going on in Hampton Roads this weekend, and since it’s Tax-Free Weekend you can enjoy it and spend a little more without guilt! Have fun before school starts!

The Tides are in, we’re seeing movies outside, First Fridays are back in Norfolk, and it’s Second Saturdays in Williamsburg. And don’t forget to take the kiddos to have breakfast at the zoo! Who can resist orange juice with an orangutan?

Friday, August 7 – Saturday, August 8/Polyfest 2015/Oceanfront
Two days filled with culture, polynesian entertainment, food and vendors. Ms. Samoa America will attend. See fire knife dancers both nights! FREE

Saturday, August 8-Sunday, August 9/National Lighthouse Day Weekend/Cape Henry Lighthouse
Commemorate National Lighthouse Day with fun activities at Cape Henry Lighthouse! Saturday at 10 am you are Invited to participate in the unveiling of our new State Marker, Commemorating the War of 1812! Meet Edna Hendrix, author of Our Heritage: Black History: Princess Anne County, Virginia Beach, VA: A Pictorial History. She will be signing copies of her book on Saturday. FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES! Including navigation, geology, mathematics and weather all day Saturday! SCAVENGER HUNT! All weekend long! FREE

Friday July 31-Sunday, August 2/Regent University Theatre Presents: “The Nerd”/Regent University Studio Theatre
Conservative architect Willum Cubbert is paid a surprise visit by a fellow GI whom he has never met, but who saved his life on the battlefield of Vietnam. Unfortunately, his comrade turns out to be a tactless, socially-clueless oaf that outstays his welcome with a vengeance. In the spirit of The Odd Couple, comes the ferocious laugh-fest, The Nerd.Click here for ticket information and prices

5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m./GSA Jazz Band Performs at MacArthur Center
The Governor’s School for the Arts Jazz Band will be performing in the Center every Friday from 5-7pm beginning April 24th and continuing through August 28th. FREE

5:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m./First Fridays Downtown Street Party/MacArthur Center Green
In its third season, each First Fridays event runs from 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and features music, food, merchandise vendors and a beer and wine garden all in an authentic downtown setting. FREE

Suffolk

6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m./TGIF Summer Concert Series: Joe Gosman Band/Bennett’s Creek Park
Join your neighbors at Bennett’s Creek Park for the second half of the TGIF Summer Concert Series in Suffolk. Enjoy this free and family-friendly event in the park, as Joe Gosman Band plays a variety of hits and kids enjoy the children’s area. Our aim is to get you out of your seat and enjoying your Friday night! FREE

Saturday

Chesapeake

11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m./Family Fun Fest/Chesapeake Square Mall
As the summer comes to an end, Chesapeake Square will host its mall-wide Family Fun Fest on Saturday, August 8 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Throughout the day, Kidgits Club members will be able to enjoy inflatables, face painting and other of fun activities. Families will also be able to prepare for back-to-school by taking advantage of incredible savings during Virginia’s Tax-Free Shopping Weekend! FREE

Hampton

11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m./Jurassic World- Digging Up Hampton/Hampton History Museum
What dinosaurs once roamed the area where we now go to school, work, and play? What else can we learn from digging below the surface of Hampton? Stop by the Hampton History Museum to learn about historical creatures, people groups before us, recent past digs in Hampton and what archeologist will be looking for in the future. Activities that allow students to learn more about the profession and history of Archeology, artifacts to view from our collection, and more will be available on site. $5 for adults, $4 for children

Noon – 10:00 p.m./Downtown Hampton Block PartyListen to the sweet sounds of Time Reynolds & TR3 with Jesse Chong Band and hang out with your neighbors! FREE

Newport News

10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m./2nd Annual Scouts & Cars in the Park/Newport News Park
Join in the fun of this automotive extravaganza. Experience the sights and sounds of elegant autos from yesteryear to the technologically advanced super cars of today on the Polo Fields in beautiful Newport News Park. The show is open to all makes, models and years of vehicles and anyone can bring out their ride and participate in the show. FREE to attend, $15 to pre-register a vehicle, $20 the day of the show

8:00 a.m./Breakfast with the Animals/Virginia Zoo
This event is a rare opportunity to enjoy breakfast at the Zoo and then watch the animals eat their breakfast too! Zoo volunteers will also be at exhibits to dish out interesting animal facts during this once-a-year, exclusive members-only event. Tickets: adults (age 12 and up) $10.00 and children (age 4-11) $5.00 3 and under are FREE but will need a ticket.

8:30 p.m./Fantail Film Festival: Frozen/Battleship Wisconsin at Nauticus
When the newly crowned Queen Elsa accidentally uses her power to turn things into ice to curse her home in infinite winter, her sister, Anna, teams up with a mountain man, his playful reindeer, and a snowman to change the weather condition. $3

North Carolina

3:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m./USCG/Military Appreciation Concert/Morgan’s Corner Pulling Park
Headliner and rising Nashville Country Music Awards Star Ray Scott will grace the big stage along with Old Southern Moonshine Revival, Outlaw 21 and American Idol contestant, Emily Minor. The Outlaw 21 band features drummer Dale Beatty who 2013 CNN Hero of the Year for his organization, Purple Heart Homes that benefits handicapped veterans. Food and beverages will be available for cash purchase but beer will not be sold in the park. Guests are welcome to bring coolers and tailgate before the concert, but no glass bottles are permitted. The gate opens at 3:00pm, and the concert runs from 4:00-10:00pm. We encourage all families to join us for this unique and special event to honor our local heroes. $28 tickets include the concert along with a BBQ and fried chicken platter with sides from Leon Nixon’s Catering

Virginia Beach

7:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m./Armed Services YMCA 15th Annual Mud Run/JEB Little Creek Amphibious Base
For the 15th year, the Armed Services YMCA will be “getting muddy” for our local military. This annual fundraiser takes place on base at JEB Little Creek and has become a local favorite. Come on out on August 8th and run where the SEALS train. This 8K endurance race provides a tough, all-terrain course. There is also a one-mile mini mud course for kids 5-12. It’s a great day of family friendly fun with a beach party at the end.Click here to register

9:00 p.m./Laser & Light Show/Oceanfront
Experience a unique entertainment spectacle at the Virginia Beach oceanfront on select nights in July and August!
The C3 Laser & Light Show is many things at once: a festival light and video production using lasers, pyrotechnics, and three giant cylindrical projection screens, all to a pulsing soundtrack guaranteed to capture and thrill beach audiences. This “Rockin’ Adventure at Virginia Beach,” inspired by the ocean, utilizes classic rock and newer pop hits to take the viewer on an adventure that ends with a mind-blowing laser/light/projection/flame finale! Watch from the boardwalk or beach. FREE

3:00 p.m./Local Theatre Series: Abolitionists’ Museum/The American Theatre
The American Theatre proudly continues its popular local playwriting series this summer, designed by local author and director Sheri Bailey of SB, Ink. We invite local actors and audiences of all ages to get involved, auditions, rehearsals, and performances will take place at The American Theatre. All events are FREE.

Norfolk

4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m./A Night in Concert with Steve Tyrell/Town Point Park
Grammy Award-winning vocalist Steve Tyrell will appear in concert Sunday, August 9, 2015 for a free evening waterfront performance at Town Point Park, Norfolk, Virginia. The Steve Tyrell concert is the first in a new series of 5 annual summer concerts featuring national recording artists sponsored by the Douglas and Patricia Perry Foundation. Produced by Norfolk Festevents, admission to the concert is free and open to the public. Open lawn seating is available and picnics are welcome. The evening will include gourmet artisan foods and beverages for purchase. Town Point Park will open at 5pm for pre concert picnics. The show begins at 8pm. FREE

Portsmouth

7:00 p.m./Sunday Movies at City Park: Maleficent
A vengeful fairy is driven to curse an infant princess, only to discover that the child may be the one person who can restore peace to their troubled land. FREE

Williamsburg

11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m./2nd Sundays Williamsburg Art & Music Festival/Prince George Street
Outdoors on Prince George Street, Downtown Williamsburg. 2nd Sundays Williamsburg Art & Music Festival opens its 6th year as Williamsburg’s only monthly art & music street festival featuring over 75 local and regional artists, authors, artisans, and live music. Main stage music each month sponsored by Quirks of Art. Free children’s activities and art projects courtesy of Artfully Yours. FREE